A 50-year-old female prison officer at Leeuwkop Correctional Centre was found dead, with her jacket soaked in blood, on Tuesday night.
The 23-year veteran prison officer’s body was discovered on the floor at the Medium A Covid-19 isolation site.
“The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is utterly saddened and broken by the death of a female official at Leeuwkop Correctional Centre last night,” said a statement from the department on Wednesday.
The department said it was in the process of establishing facts and circumstances that led to her death.
“An investigation has been launched and it will be prioritised to move with speed so as to ascertain the cause of death and bring perpetrators of this criminal act to book,” said the DCS, suggesting possible foul play.
“This is a painfully disturbing incident. Our sincere condolences go to the family of our departed official.”
A case has already been opened with the police, said the DCS.
The DCS said it was “going all out” to ensure that “this incident” is probed to the fullest.
“We will not allow incidents that undermine security in our centres to prevail and harsh action will be taken against anyone involved in such,” said the DCS.
